Marvel Studios has drawn some fair criticism for stifling distinct voices, forcing a bland if effective uniformity to the tone of their films. But as James Gunn’s exuberant, hands-on Guardians of the Galaxy showed us, in the lawlessness of space, anything goes. Or at least anything as far as identifiably director-specific quips and classic rock soundtracks go. And it looks like director Taika Waititi has made the best of that loophole with his first entry to the Marvel universe, Thor: Ragnarok.
The trailer for the film just hit, and in just under two minutes, it sets up a Thor adventure that looks and feels nothing like either that’s come before. Joyfully set to Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song,” the preview sees Cate Blanchett’s Hela seemingly overtaking Asgard with ease, crushing Thor’s favorite bludgeoning tool in a single hand. Consequently, Thor gets captured, he’s forced to cut off his greasy hair, and a wonderfully-cast Jeff Goldblum forces him to fight in a colosseum. But there, Thor finds that he’s not the only Avenger being battle-pimped. And we, the audience, find that Waititi’s charming “Team Thor” shorts were just a taste of the God of Thunder’s continued devolution into a hilariously oblivious meathead.
Sadly, now we have to wait until November for this thing.
